Teacher certificate enough?

[family1st]

Greetings! I'm new to Disney, but have been addicted to the boards the last month. Love these things! You people are so helpful!!! I keep researching my question but haven't found any past info. that addresses it. I just recertified my teaching certificate last summer so am good for 5 more years. I've taught for 13 years, but upon the birth of our third recently, and poor childcare options in our community, I resigned last June for a few years to stay at home with the kiddos. I continue to volunteer weekly in DS's 3rd grade classroom and actually teach the math lessons since I'm certified and was the lead teacher in the building prior to my resignation. Anyway, I have no pay stub and can't have letter from principal since I'm not actually "employed" there this year. So, will my teaching certificate be good enough to bring at check-in at the Dolphin when we go in September?? I'm ready to make ressies but just need to know this info.
Thanks gang!

 

[Bill From PA]

I've read posts on these forums by retired teachers who got the rate by showing their certificate. Anyone recently?

Bill From PA

 

[msteddom]

I was told when I booked my reservation that a valid certificate was all the proof I needed.



Melissa

 

[Geoff_M]

You're best bet is to call the hotel directly, explain your situation, and see what they say. If they give you a positve response, write down the name of the person you talked to for future reference. May of us have been told different things over the last couple of years. We used the teacher's discount in 2002 and were told a certificate was not valid because it only shows that you COULD be a teacher, not that you were actually employed as one. We were told we needed either:

1) Photo ID that said "teacher"
2) Letter on school letterhead stating my wife was a teacher.
3) A recent paycheck with "teacher" on it.

However, recently many people have been told that a certificate was acceptable.

So, don't take what any of us say as a final answer. The only people in a position to give you the "correct" answer is the hotel themselves.

 

[Kapp]

and using the Teacher Discount. My wife (the Teacher) was told to bring a valid teaching certificate and either a photo ID or a pay stub. When we checked in, they only asked for the certificate and they really read it over and inputted the state and other information from the certificate into their computer. We really loved the Dolphin and thought it was as "Disney" as other Disney resorts and even more so than some!

Enjoy!

 

[Naisy68]

How good is the discount for teachers? How does the Dolphin rate compared to the moderate resorts? Can we get the UPH when staying at the Dolphin? Are they included in the Disney Transportation system? Sorry so many questions but I have never even considered the Dolphin until today.

 

[Bill From PA]

Naisy68,

$139 - $149 vs $300+ without the discount

Moderates are from $74 - $160 depending on codes and season

Yes

Yes.


Bill From PA

 

[Geoff_M]

Naisy68,

The Swan and Dolphin were created in a brief era then WDW decided they wanted to "outsource" new on-site resorts. They've since reversed course in a major way. As a result, except for being able to charge to your room account in the parks and resort package delivery from the parks, the services and perks at the S&D are just the same as at any other on-site Disney run resort.

 

[Naisy68]

Geoff and Bill - Thanks for the answers - I may have to check that out.

 

[232271]

I have been told the Dolphin is the equal to a deluxe resort.

 

[Kapp]

the Dolphin...especially with the Teacher discount! We were worried it would not be "Disney" enough but we were very surprised and pleased with our entire stay. The Customer Service was excellent and even better than most of the true Disney resorts we had stayed at. We usually like to stay at a different resort every visit but have all agreed we would do the Dolphin again!

 

[kctinkerbell]

I was at the Dolphin last month and I only had a teacher certificate. When we were checking in she did input some info from my certificate into the computer. It was a little crazy at the time because my 2 DD's had just spotted my parents in the lobby as we were meeting them down there. So she was just trying to get me my room as quickly as possible

If they ask you for a pay stub or something else, just tell them it has personal info on it and that you were not comfortable traveling with it!!

When I got my rate I asked what to bring and they said a certificate was fine.


The Dolphin is great and you will love it there. It has a fabulous location.


kctinkerbell

 

[Connears]

I am a college professor and just used my faculty ID at check-in at the Swan. No hassle with that..don't know about the certificate, but they seem pretty layed back.
Connears

 

[Mouseteacher]

I have stayed a few times at both the Swan and Dolphin. All I showed was my teaching certificate (but I did have my paystub with me just in case).

 

[buckeye]

When we stayed at the Swan, they didn't ask me to show anything!! My husband and I are both teachers and I made sure we BOTH brought our work ID badges (just in case) and then they didn't ask for anything.

By the way, we LOVED it! (More than the BC even.)

 

[GOBA Mom Lynn]

I think I had read about this before somewhere......
Doesn't the teacher's rate now include administrative personel ? My SIL is a school district secretary, so would have the pay stub, but not the certificate.
Some of our ressies are in her name, so I hope I'm right!
Lynn

 

[Geoff_M]

GOBA Mom Lynn,

I believe non-teacher school personnel DO qualify, but they have to book through Dreams Unlimited to get the discount. It's a special deal worked out between DU and S/D.

 

[tbuot]

Is it true that substitute teachers are eligible? My mom is a sub. and works all the time. Can she get the discount?

What about preschool teachers?

 

[Geoff_M]

tbuot,

Again, your best bet is to call the hotel directly and ask them. A couple of years ago they "cracked down" on the definition after people started getting creative with the definition of "teacher" (teacher's aide, Sunday School teacher, in-home day care provider that does lessons, student teacher, education major, teacher's pet, etc.) My guess is they'd probably say "yes" for full time sub, but probably "no" for a preschool teacher (particularly if there isn't licensing required). But then again, it's best to call them and write down the name of the person you talked to. If they say "yes", it's a lot easier to say "But Chris in your reservation office said 'OK'" instead of saying "But some guy on an internet forum said it was 'OK'" at check-in if there's an issue.

 

[tjmw2727]

Just this past Saturday I booked a room for myself with an AP discount and my sil with a teacher discount for 12/25 - 12/31. I was told twice to be sure I had my AP at check in and that my SIL would need her school ID as well as a paystub for verifcation.

It may have been because I was booking two types of discounts, teacher was better than the AP so I booked that for her. The CM told me when I asked what was available at the teacher rate and then again when confirming the number and deposit. She also said that if we could not produce the AP (for me) and or the teacher id (sil) we would be charged full price for the room.

Perhaps you can check into a AAA or Entertainment rate, it would be better than arriving and not having the proper documents and getting charged the full price.

TJ